First timer here with questions.

[WRXKid]

WRXKid, you are lucky enough to live close to Norco and Prado. We will be at Norco this Sat, so like Voo said, come on by. You can see how things work, and if you are comfortable, sign up and shoot, and if not, show up with your gear next time and shoot. Don't get lost in the rules of the game, the only thing that is important for a newbie is keep your finger off the trigger unless there is a target in front of you and don't point the gun at the RO. Shoot fast, have fun.

http://nrg.jvdynamics.com/nrg/

http://www.prg-ipsc.com/

Thanks Highlander. Ill come out to watch and learn soon enough. Looking like NRG is the club to go with.

[bruceflinch]

If you are in Northern Cal, Richmond has a good intro to IPSC shooting and SacValley has a good intro to IDPA ( actionpistol.com )

For a vendors perspective on what you need, try:

http://www.reddotshooting.com/compet...firsttime.aspx

Sorry, But actionpistol.com is USI's Club in Concord (Diablo Action Pistol)...just sayin'...

[RaymondMillbrae]

Isn't ACTIONPISTOL.ORG, the Targetmasters website in Yolo? (Davis).

In Christ: Raymond

[CSACANNONEER]

LOL, I never saw the OP post what type of competitions he was interested in. There are many different types of competitive shooting out there. So, what type(s) interest you?

[j1133s]

Hi all,
I am gaining interest in competitive shooting. I have been searching on here for some info but everything looks very convoluted and kinda hard to figure out.

All I would like to know is how to get started. I kinda know what I need for gear but I just don't want to walk up to a match and have no idea what to do.

Thanks

Kiet

The best way to get started is to contact the match director for the match you are interested in and ask for advise. I will put money down that your conversation will be very plesant and informative.

Some matches require specialized equipment, and the MD (match director) may be able to arrange a loaner for you (you of course must insist on paying for the ammo that you shoot).

Other matches, you may already own match-legal equipment and th MD will tell you when to show up/amount of ammo/etc.

On yor first match, it is best to focus on safety and not score. Be accurate and take your time. People will be impressed by your accuracy.

[RaymondMillbrae]

The best way to get started is to contact the match director for the match you are interested in and ask for advise.

The way I see it, if the OP is new, and knows nothing about competitive shooting...he will probably not even know what a "match director" is.

Just go to a match, or a place where they allow action pistol shooting (where you can practice while running and gunning), and hang around.

Shooters are friendly, and I am sure more than a few of them will lend you their ears, and be happy to answer some of your questions regarding, gear, range rules, and other fun stuff.

I see some of the responses on internet forums (especially from fools who know nothing about the sport or gear) giving very bad advice. The blind leading the blind.

Just go out and have fun. If anything...enjoy the day outside, and bask in the sun.

In Christ: Raymond

[zfields]

Just go out and have fun. If anything...enjoy the day outside, and bask in the sun.

In Christ: Raymond

Or latley, the rain

[RaymondMillbrae]

zfields[/B];5221020]Or latley, the rain

Case in point, look at Zfields above.

I remember seeing him lurking on the forums. Next thing I know I meet him at the Richmond Rod & Gun Club, and we chat for a while at the parking lot. (I am a big 2nd Amendment supporter, so I love to encourage new shooters to come and see what this freedom we have is all about). Then next thing you know, he shows up at the practice range. Then next thing you know, here he is shooting next to me at the action range. (Where we practice running & gunning).

He can personally attest to the fact that shooters at our gun club (Richmond Rod & Gun) are great folks. I don't know if he is aware of it yet...but some of the folks I see him talking to, and are offering him advice, are MASTER and GRAND-MASTER shooters!

Our sport is very small. And I will say this over and over again. Kids can only dream of playing next to NFL, NHL, and NBA players. But in our sport, you may be rubbing shoulders with some of the greatest shooters in the United States...if not the world.

OP...get out there and pound the pavement. Go to a good range, meet other shooters, and ask questions about gear, rules, and anything else that may come to mind. You may be pleasantly surprised who your are talking to.

In Christ: Raymond

PS: I just thought about something. Don't ever "just walk up to a match" without taking some type of safety course first. You need to learn the range rules, and also be familiar with USPSA/IDPA rules. This is not only for your safety, but for ours as well. Don't be bashful...we've all done it at one time or another. It's only a few dollars, and you will enjoy the personal time given to you.

[zfields]

Case in point, look at Zfields above.

I remember seeing him lurking on the forums. Next thing I know I meet him at the Richmond Rod & Gun Club, and we chat for a while at the parking lot. (I am a big 2nd Amendment supporter, so I love to encourage new shooters to come and see what this freedom we have is all about). Then next thing you know, he shows up at the practice range. Then next thing you know, here he is shooting next to me at the action range. (Where we practice running & gunning).

He can personally attest to the fact that shooters at our gun club (Richmond Rod & Gun) are great folks. I don't know if he is aware of it yet...but some of the folks I see him talking to, and are offering him advice, are MASTER and GRAND-MASTER shooters!

Our sport is very small. And I will say this over and over again. Kids can only dream of playing next to NFL, NHL, and NBA players. But in our sport, you may be rubbing shoulders with some of the greatest shooters in the United States...if not the world.

OP...get out there and pound the pavement. Go to a good range, meet other shooters, and ask questions about gear, rules, and anything else that may come to mind. You may be pleasantly surprised who your are talking to.

In Christ: Raymond

PS: I just thought about something. Don't ever "just walk up to a match" without taking some type of safety course first. You need to learn the range rules, and also be familiar with USPSA/IDPA rules. This is not only for your safety, but for ours as well. Don't be bashful...we've all done it at one time or another. It's only a few dollars, and you will enjoy the personal time given to you.

Yup, didnt realize the guy I was talking to yesterday about three gun was a grand master untill chris came up and mentioned it. The gun club community ( at least in richmond ) is awesome. Lots of nice, down to earth people who are there to Bulls*it with everyone else, shoot and have fun. Same with Brad a few weeks ago (who If I remember correctly was on and TOPGUN or whatever it was called ). Another younger shooter like myself who is just amazing fast and accurate (unlike myself).

Its deffintly worth to take the course, In richmond at least it is required, and honestly is just something good to have under your belt so you dont get thrown out immediatly for doing something dumb, or in worst case hurting yourself or someone else.

[TempleKnight]

Sorry, But actionpistol.com is USI's Club in Concord (Diablo Action Pistol)...just sayin'...

My bad. It's actionpistol.org It's in my "favorites" so I never type it anymore.